3 ms·

What entry point would you recommend to a total newcomer to the series?

by nsbk 2y ago

zabzonk 2y ago
"Lords & Ladies", and then expand out in both/all directions. Horrible elves, Granny at her best (and Nanny), Magrat the killer queen, Morris dancing, stupid wizzards and lots of other stuff - what's not to like? Probably just because it's my fave. But you can read them and enjoy in any order.
- nsbk 2y ago
  That sounds like a lot of fun indeed! Thanks for the advice
- cancerhacker 2y ago
  The only reason I disagree is that L&L jumps in with some very well established characters that had been built up earlier. But I do love his (historically accurate by lore?) description of elves. He put a lot of research into re-establishing the myths and lore of his little corner of the world. (Along those lines I would also recommend Susanna Clarke’s “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell” which builds its own parallel history set in the early 1800s Britain, with Fairies taking the same role as elves in discworld.
  - rsynnott 2y ago
    > But I do love his (historically accurate by lore?) description of elves. Yeah, more or less. The “elves/fairies are nice, or at least _good_” thing is a fairly modern creation (owing a lot to Tolkien, really).
  - dcminter 2y ago
    I think Susannah Clarke is the only living author I can think of who would inspire the same enthusiasm from me upon news of a new book from them. Alas, she is not quite as prolific as PTerry :) Mustn't grumble though, it's not like Jonathan Strange was a pamphlet!
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rsynnott 2y ago
Wyrd Sisters (first Witches novel in which the characters have more or less settled down to what they’ll be for the rest of the series) or Guards, Guards (first Vimes novel, and first ‘normal’ Ankh Morpork novel; an Ankh Morpork shows up in earlier novels but that version is more or less entirely retconned away quite quickly.)
- nsbk 2y ago
  Both sound great, I’ll probably read both and decide which series to cover first. Thanks!
mulakosag 2y ago
Small Gods. It is a self contained book which I think truly shows the humor and philosophy of Pratchett.

What entry point would you recommend to a total newcomer to the series?

by nsbk 2y ago

What entry point would you recommend to a total newcomer to the series?

"Lords & Ladies", and then expand out in both/all directions. Horrible elves, Granny at her best (and Nanny), Magrat the killer queen, Morris dancing, stupid wizzards and lots of other stuff - what's not to like? Probably just because it's my fave. But you can read them and enjoy in any order.

nsbk 2y ago
That sounds like a lot of fun indeed! Thanks for the advice
cancerhacker 2y ago
The only reason I disagree is that L&L jumps in with some very well established characters that had been built up earlier. But I do love his (historically accurate by lore?) description of elves. He put a lot of research into re-establishing the myths and lore of his little corner of the world. (Along those lines I would also recommend Susanna Clarke’s “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell” which builds its own parallel history set in the early 1800s Britain, with Fairies taking the same role as elves in discworld.
- rsynnott 2y ago
  > But I do love his (historically accurate by lore?) description of elves. Yeah, more or less. The “elves/fairies are nice, or at least _good_” thing is a fairly modern creation (owing a lot to Tolkien, really).
- dcminter 2y ago
  I think Susannah Clarke is the only living author I can think of who would inspire the same enthusiasm from me upon news of a new book from them. Alas, she is not quite as prolific as PTerry :) Mustn't grumble though, it's not like Jonathan Strange was a pamphlet!

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

rsynnott 2y ago

Wyrd Sisters (first Witches novel in which the characters have more or less settled down to what they’ll be for the rest of the series) or Guards, Guards (first Vimes novel, and first ‘normal’ Ankh Morpork novel; an Ankh Morpork shows up in earlier novels but that version is more or less entirely retconned away quite quickly.)

nsbk 2y ago
Both sound great, I’ll probably read both and decide which series to cover first. Thanks!

mulakosag 2y ago

Small Gods. It is a self contained book which I think truly shows the humor and philosophy of Pratchett.